Environmental Science Exam Review

Comprehensive flashcards for Environmental Science covering stream ecology, BMI categorization, soil science, composting, and atmospheric issues like Ozone and UV radiation.

What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem?

Biotic factors are living components, while abiotic factors are non-living components.

What determines a species' Range of Tolerance?

A specific range of conditions, such as temperature or $pH$, within which an organism can survive.

Example of a Growth Limiting Factor

The amount of food or mates available

How is a higher stream order, such as order $3$, related to depth, width, and discharge compared to order $1$?

A stream of order $3$ is deeper, wider, and has more discharge than a stream of order $1$.

What are two examples of Point pollution sources?

Factory pipe output and an oil spill.

What are two examples of Non-point pollution sources?

Car exhaust and runoff or yard fertilizers.

What is the Riparian Zone and what should it look like?

The riparian zone is the area between land and a stream; it should be wide and populated with trees and grasses. It filters out pollution

What are three benefits of the Riparian Zone?

It collects runoff, filters out pollution, and increases biodiversity.

Point Bar vs Cut Bank in a stream.

A point bar is an area of deposition (when sediments lands = creates “landing area” with low velocity (water speed is slow)

whereas a cut bank is an area of erosion with high velocity (faster water)

In a stream, what are the differences between a Riffle, a Run, and a Pool?

A riffle is where oxygen enters the stream (faster water), a run is the main flow, and a pool is a deeper area.

What is the standard for Dissolved Oxygen ($DO$) in a B(T) stream? (Need a lot)

$7\,ppm$ or higher.

How does temperature affect the amount of Dissolved Oxygen in a stream?

As temperature increases, $DO$ levels will decrease.

What three processes can raise Dissolved Oxygen levels in streams?

Lowering temperature, and photosynthesis by aquatic plants, and turbulence

Processes that lower DO in streams

Turbidity (muddy/sediment), warm days, organism using it up

What is the standard for Nitrates and Phosphates in a B(T) stream? (DON’T WANT NITRATES)

$0\,ppm$ - 0.1 ppm

Sources of Nitrates

Poop, rotted food, and fertilizer

Sources of Phosphates

Fertilizer, runoff, and detergents

What effect do high Nitrates and Phosphates have on a stream's ecology?

They promote out-of-control algae growth —> lowers the $DO$ values.

What is the standard $pH$ for a B(T) stream?

$$6-8$$

Which pollutants emitted from coal-burning power plants cause acid rain?

Nitric acid and sulfuric acid.

In which direction does acid rain typically travel in the atmosphere due to prevailing winds?

From West to East (Midwest to North East).

Where is acid rain most problematic?

Northeast (Adirondacks)

Why is Alkalinity important for stream health?

It acts as a buffer to prevent sudden changes in $pH$.

What are some natural sources of carbonate and bicarbonate ions used to buffer $pH$?

Limestone and Chalk.

Standard alkalinity for a stream

Stream is not sensitive when alkalinity is high +20

Turbidity ☹

Measure of the water’s cloudiness and lower turbidity is better

What are two negative effects of high Turbidity in water?

It warms the water and can clog gills or bury eggs.

Sources of turbidity

Sediment carried by runoff (erosion) and plankton in suspension

Why are Benthic Macro-invertebrates ($BMI$) typically collected from a riffle?

Because riffles are areas where oxygen enters the stream, leading to high levels of Dissolved Oxygen.

Equipment used to collect BMI

• Bucket

• D net

• Soft forceps

• Waders

• Alcohol

Procedures to collect BMI

• Locate riffle

• Hold net down stream

• Pick up cobbles and rub off clingers/ move substrate to bring up BMI

• avoid collecting too much debris

• Examen leaves for BMI

• place in containers of alcohol

What three insect orders make up the EPT groups?

Ephemeroptera (Mayflies), Plecoptera (Stoneflies), and Trichoptera (Caddisflies)

Describe the physical characteristics of Ephemeroptera (Mayflies).

They have $3$ caudal filaments and gills located on the sides of the abdomen.

Describe the physical characteristics of Plecoptera (Stoneflies) MOST SENSITIVE OF BMI

They have $2$ caudal filaments and gills located in the 'armpits' under the thorax.

Physical characteristics of Trichoptera (Caddisflies) Least Sensitive EPT

Some make cases (case markers) and some make nets (net spinner (have hooks at end of abdomen))

Gills located underneat

What are the life stages of trout in the 'Trout in the Classroom' program?

Egg —> Alevin —> 'Swim up' —> Fry —>Parr

Egg Care

Where are they kept = egg baskets

“Bad” eggs = white, cloudy, no eye

Water chemistry, what is tested

pH, ammonia/ammonium, nitrites/nitrates, DO, temperature

Water changes

Weekly water changes unless needed sooner

What is the sequence of the breakdown of organic waste in a fish tank from most toxic to least toxic?

Organic matter $\rightarrow$ Ammonia $\rightarrow$ Ammonium $\rightarrow$ Nitrites —> Nitrate.

What are the five factors involved in soil formation?

Parent material (bedrock), Climate, Topography, Biological factors, and Time.

Parent material (bedrock)

Determines mineral/chemical content

Climate

Faster weathering

-temperature is higher

-precipitation is increased (high precipitation. also causes loss of nutrients by leaching)

Topography

Steeper slopes have thinner soils

Biological factors

Animals - worms (aerate + soil forms faster)

Plants - break up soil with roots

Time

More time, greater soil thickness

Rank the three sediment sizes from largest to smallest.

Sand, Silt, and Clay.

What are the positives and negatives of Sand as a soil component?

Positives: good drainage, aeration, and easy root growth. 

Negatives: cannot retain nutrients and dries/heats up fast.

What are the positives and negatives of Clay as a soil component?

Positives: drought-resistant and holds nutrients well.

Negatives: compacts easily (brick-like) and holds too much water.

Best soil type

LOAM

SOIL pH

Ideal 5-8

Soil too acidic or alkaline?

Cant hold onto or release nutrients to plants

What are the four necessary components for composting?

Browns (Carbon), Greens (Nitrogen) [30:1] , Water, and Oxygen.

‘Browns’ CARBONS

Role - provide energy

Examples : dry leaves, sticks, newspaper

‘Greens’ NITROGENS

Role - provide protein

Examples: vegetable scraps, fresh grass, coffee groups

Water

Role - hydrater

Rule: should be damp, not wet

Oxygen

Role - aerobic (cellular respiration)

Rule: more O2 = better and faster

Match the types of composting bacteria with their preferred temperatures: Psychrophiles, Mesophiles, and Thermophiles.

Psychrophiles: Low temperature; Mesophiles: Medium temperature; Thermophiles: High temperature (hot pile is faster).

What items should be kept out of a compost pile and why?

Pesticides (chemicals), weeds (avoid seeds), diseased plants (spread bacteria), and fats/meat (attract pests/coat bacteria).

Three major types of composters

Bin - open/ removable sides

Tumbler - vents/ easy to turn

Garbage can - vents/ drainage/ roll to turn

Important dates

March 20 - Vernal equinox

June 21 - Summer solstice

September 22 - Autumnal equinox

December 21 - Winter solstice

What is the proper azimuth for a solar panel installation in the United States?

South $180^{\circ}$.

Best time for solar panels

In the fall and spring

What is the proper tilt angle for a solar panel if the installation latitude is $40^{\circ}N$?

$$40^{\circ}$$

Earth’s Energy Budget Diagram

Incoming = outgoing (stable)

• more incoming means a surplus of heat/energy

CO2 records for Mauna Loa

Keeling Curve

Seasonal minimums (end of fall)

Seasonal maximums (end of winter)

The reason: photosynthesis ( not the same in Northern/Southern Hempisphere

OZONE

What is it: form of oxygen

Formula: O3

Importance: blocks UV damage

How much: was decreasing and is now increasing

CFCS

Chloro floro carbons

Invented in 1928

Natural source: no

Main source: aerosols/refrigerants

Good/Bad: Good - used in refrigeration/ Bad- catalysts (harm ozone)

How long: over a hundred years

OZONE HOLE

What is it: a hole where ozone is thin or gone

Why does it fluctuate during the year: because of temperature

Where is the hole the largest: South Pole —> chorine is active longer in cold temp.

effect: increases skin cancer/ DNA damage

Greatest effect: Argentina and chile

Smoking Gun : a crisis, the smoking gun points to chlorine

Montreal Protocol (1987) and Vienna Convention

The world came together, to stop production of manmade ozone harming products

-most countries came together

• the world could see the impact

-effects: banned CFCS and ozone is starting to increase

-originally though recover by 2050 but now more like 2035

Effects are not immediate because chlorine stays in atmosphere for a long time

UV Radiation

Three types: UV-C, UV-B, UV-A

Effects of exposure: DNA damage

How does UV help: photosynthesis and vitamin D

Natural protection: Melanin, shade

Other ways: sunscreen

Should start protecting when young, UV damage is cumulative

If we had no ozone: 10-15 minutes to sunburn

Ewaste

Electronic waste, things are designed to last about 2 years

-toxins in plastic

-us, production, and chargeing is about 4% of the carbon release

-takes lots of energy and uses cobalt

Largest ewaste in Guyiu, China and Ghana

Easier to dump then to recycle